My most disappointing kit ever was from Tamiya, I was ripped off.

I talk about the biggest model kit disappointment in my life. Everyone said I would love it and build many more from this manufacturer, but in reality it was the worst kit I had ever paid good money for. You will never guess what well known kit maker I just won't buy from, after being ripped off with this dud model.
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[@martinazariancriminaldefen3081]

"What does every modeler do when they get stuck? They buy another kit!" Isn't that the answer to all life's problems? I love it!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Glad you got the joke Martin.

[@amandahuggandkiss2998]

Only one kit?

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

That explains my huge and growing stash. 🤣🤣🤣

[@outfield1988]

Wish I had a dollar for every time I bought the same kit to use for my mess ups.

[@outfield1988]

I like the T34 it’s a cheap kit but still is cool. Tamiya is the best overall in my opinion.

[@mattbowden4996]

The problem here is someone flogged you a kit from the 1970s for modern kit prices. At the model shop I worked at until recently we'd sell that kit for about £10-15 - not £50! So yes, you did get ripped off - but by the model shop, not Tamiya.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

True, but my point is the shops here think they can charge high prices due to reputation of other better Tamiya kits. So yes that is disappointing.

[@mattbowden4996]

@@HarryHoudiniModels That is pretty terrible. I don't work in a model shop any more but had you come to my shop with a similar story I'd have talked to you a bit to gauge your level of experience and then probably pointed you at something a bit more in line with your expectations. Those old Tamiya kits are still useful to us as retailers because they are "good enough" for the price (at least when you sell them for £15) and easy for inexperienced modellers to put together - but I'd never point a veteran modeller at one unless they were deliberately engaging in a nostalgia build...

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

you have to be a certain age to remember Airfix kits in plastic bags from Woolworths, for a couple of bob - you need a second mortgage to buy some of the kits on offer today - stay safe

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

They have got a lot more expensive, but the more modern engineering needs to paid by someone :)

[@carlovanucci]

Jeeeeezus!!!! Ten minutes into the video, and I still don't know which kit you're talking about...!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

That is called background build up… if I just told you the kit make without explaining the mindset I was in or experience I’d had up to that point, then it would not have made sense. Although even with the explanation so many did not get the point.

[@VR-ym8ys]

Strange - when I read the title, I immediately thought of Airfix.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

If you started modelling in the 80’s and 90’s then yes while the Americans ran Airfix it was a shambles with crap moulds from other poor manufacturers being spat out at an old Heller factory. It was a disgrace. The 60-70’s Airfix ran by good ole Blighty produced magnificent kits. Since the 21st century the Brits have managed to take control of Airfix again, albeit having the moulding done in India, so they are getting better again.

[@Geektownusa]

Sounds like your local hobby ripped you off. Not Tamiya.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

That is correct, hence the disappointment… but it is also the hype about Tamiya… simply not justified

[@ifuckedyourmomandsis]

My local hobby shop that i used to go to had tons of old tamiya kits. I could never buy them though bcause the owner wanted way more for them than they were worth. Dude wouldnt go down on his prices even while his store was closing down. He had boxes upon boxes full of kits from all brands out there.

[@paulnieuwhof9768]

Who's looking at Harry's stash and saying got that, got that, must get that..

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I look and think, shouldn’t have sold that, built that, when the heck did I buy that?

[@vernongoodey5096]

Should get that Bentley built

[@tony1721]

Totally sending me back to my childhood 😂😂

[@irvinakohleraia473]

Really your problem should be with the jerk that sold it to you. They sold you a kit that was mastered in the very early 1970's as a toy. Tamiya is the very best in model kits, they are the gold standard. Please don't trash Tamiya.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

If you watched the entire video, you would see I didn’t “trash” Tamiya, I just said they take away what I like most about the hobby. So not for me. It is an opinion from my experience. And yes that hobby store was a rip off. I never went back.

[@typhoon2827]

Just built a RFM firefly. Defo gold standard. Love Tamiya but RFM is awesome.

[@irvinakohleraia473]

@@HarryHoudiniModels Harry I can understand what your saying about the challenge of older kits that need more work as opposed to a kit that "falls together" I've done that and enjoy it too sometimes. Right now I'm working on what I have to say is the worst kit I've got this far into. The Revell 1/144 Flower class corvette. The only reason I'm sticking to it is I invested so much into it.

[@irvinakohleraia473]

@@typhoon2827 Yes RFM is very good in fact the best of the Chinese manufacturers. But what sets Tamiya apart from every one is the quality of the plastic they use not just the engineering of the kit.

[@outfield1988]

I agree Tamiya makes amazing models. The new Tamiya F 35 is awesome. Tamiya is the best ever.

[@georgecoventry8441]

Tell you what I like in models, Harry. Perfectly fitting parts. No flash. Everything authentically and accurately detailed. Goes together like a dream. NO mistakes. No gaps to fill. No bloody scratch building or anything like that required, because it's all there and it's all accurate *already*. I look for kits like that and I buy them. The only thing I should need to add (if it's an airplane or ship) is the radio line and/or the rigging....and for that I'll use EZ-line or some similar product...unless it's a sailing ship, of course, in which case I use rigging that looks like rope in that scale. So, this means I love Tamiya kits! Yes, a few of the really OLD ones are no damn good by present standards, rather toy-like, as in the case of that old T-34 you bought, and quite a few other tanks in the early years of their 1/35 line. Their old 1/350 Bismarck, for another example, cannot compare to more recent Bismarcks in that scale by Revell and Trumpeter...though it was the best Bismarck when it was originally issued...and that's the thing: Find out when the bloody kit was first issued! Read the reviews of it. Then you'll know what to expect. The T-34 you were so disappointed by is from 1965, mate! What the hell would you expect? And their 1/350 Bismarck came out in 1978, whereas the far better detailed Revell 1/350 Bismarck is from 2007, and the superb Trumpeter 1/350 Bismarck is from 2020. Would it be surprising that the far older Tamiya kit doesn't rate well in detail against either one of them? But the newer Tamiya models are absolutely superb. All this can be found out simply by going to the "Scalemates" site and reading up on any specific kit you might be thinking of buying....which I expect you already know. Now be assured, I completely admire your scratch-building skills and dedication. You did some work on an Airfix sailing ship that was amazing! However, I appear to be looking for the exact opposite in kits that you are...which is fine. Whatever "floats your boat", right? 🙂 But the companies I love are the ones that put out the most accurate, best detailed, and finest fitting kits, and those are, typically, and in most cases... Tamiya, Hasegawa, Eduard, Wingnut Wings, and well, quite a few others these days too......including the *newer* Airfix kits of aircraft, which are very, very good, and including Trumpeter's wonderful warship kits and some of their other stuff. But one must always keep in mind that most of the great model companies STILL have some absolutely rubbish kits...dreadful stuff...that was originally issued way back in the 1960's or 70's...STILL getting re-issued in new boxes to this day....and that stuff is to be avoided! That includes the Tamiya T-34 kit you were so disappointed by.............but it does not alter the fact that most Tamiya models are great. You just have to do some research before you buy the kit, that's all. Get a look at the sprues online before you make the purchase.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I needed a toilet break half way though your essay… some valid points though. As I said in the video this was a decade ago before I knew about Scalemates, but I did ask the staff at the model shop for advice. You just can’t trust anyone these days!

[@georgecoventry8441]

@@HarryHoudiniModels - Right! Fair enough. 😁

[@keithhealing1115]

Ah! Wingnut Wings. Such beautiful, beautiful kits.

[@nostalgiccameralife]

Not sure why youtube rec'd this vid to me now, but I can't say I've ever had a problem with any Tamiya kits. I think you got talked into buying something you didn't need. Not the manufacturer's fault really. Having built plenty of Revell kits in the 90s, which required endless trimming of flashing, etc. my first experience with Tamiya was pretty impressive, frankly.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes the Hobby Shop hyped up the kit maker and the price but the result when it got it home was sadly disappointing

[@discordian23]

Sounds like the problem is the shop selling you what you weren’t expecting for too much money. not so much Tamiya’s fault.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Correct. My disappointment was paying so much, and told how great the kit would be, but only getting a mediocre kit in return. I have no real problem with Tamiya, just the hype and fan boy hysteria that gets rammed down my throat about the brand plus the absurd prices for the kits, at least down under in Australia.

[@redr1150r]

Greetings. 1st model I ever built was a little Airfix 1/72 Hawker Hurricane. It came in a bag with a folded paper tag attached to the bag. It was made of light blue plastic and was 39 US cents at our local drug store. I think it was in 1958, or 1959. I think I was 8 at the time. I just retired from a 52 career in aviation. I think I'm going to pick it up again.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you matey… welcome back to the hobby

[@fifteenbyfive]

Disclaimer: Yes I heard the part where he said they were beautiful and well engineered kits, and that he wasn't calling them bad per-se. I just finished my first kit in 25 years since I was a kid. Their 1/48 A6M2 for $16.50 US. I tried so hard to exact-match the paint color of the Akagi model. That one spot of difficulty was nothing to do with Tamiya. It's an older kit I'm told and yet I have to say it's etter than any Revell/Monogram/Testors/Italeri kits I built as a kid. All that said, Harry gives an interesting take on it all here and there's nothing to disagree about. I think I bought the right kit to get back into the hobby. I had fun. I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and I actually finished it. When it gets boring I just look at it. Lean back and take the whole thing in I've done so far and it gets fun again. Peace.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks matey

[@lafouche345]

I retired ….. thank god I collected kits, todays kit prices are beyond belief.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

This was my excuse for the stash too.

[@billballbuster7186]

Well that was a 1975 kit and most kits back then had "rubber band' tracks and were made for motorization. Tamiya was a motorized toy manufacturer until about 1970 when they started the Military Miniatures range. Then there was transition period before the first true model kits came out. Other manufacturers like Italeri, Esci and Monogram were all very similar in style. Dragon did not appear until about 1990 and had a very bad reputation for poor accuracy, too bad to correct in some instances like the Sherman MkVc. But I think they were first with injection molded plastic track and they did try to correct issues with older kits. I have spent almost 45 years doing kit reviews for magazines, including Airfix under Alan Hall 1988 to 1993.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

The point of my video was the misleading hysteria about Tamiya and how shop owners profit over it.

[@billballbuster7186]

@@HarryHoudiniModels Sorry I thought your point was bashing Tamiya! Comparing a 60 years old vintage kit with a new 2010 Chinese kit.

[@tonyl7418]

Harry, I’m 71 and luckily for me, I never got out of my “first” childhood! Always have had “toys”! Love modelling.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good for you Tony

[@thomaswilson3437]

I disagree with you. I personally find Tamiya kits some of the best on the market and I think they give you the basics--what you do with it is up to you. That being said, older kits can come with some challenges. The T-34/76 is a 1975 kit. I was 16 years old when this kit came out. I'm 62 now. That doesn't mean it's a bad kit necessarily, it just means it's going to be more of a challenge for accuracy and cannot compete with today's laser cut molds derived from 3D modelling. This mold was cut by a blade and was based on a clay figure based on dimensions determined using a measuring tape. It was also marketed for boys and adolescents. There were no 60 year old men building models like this then. I do think you paid too much, as this kit retails for $23 USD online, and I can probably find it cheaper. As an aside, when I was into this hobby as a youngster, it was the Airfix kits that were the crap. The Tamiya were the desirable ones. I build and like both now.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

You don’t need to agree… I shared my experience, that was all

[@thomaswilson3437]

@@HarryHoudiniModels No issues, just pointing out an alternative point of view.

[@vogonpoet5860]

problem is what was acceptable in the 80s is in the 2020s barely scraping by, especially when priced as premium ! imagine your feelings if someone offered you a movie on 8mm ( state of the art 60 yrs ago) but wanted to charge you for blu ray quality at top prices. for 2020s an 80s kit has to be priced cheap especialy if in the 80s the kit was considered mediocre

[@TarnishUK]

You definitely got sold the wrong thing by the shop. Proper Tamiya kits are excellent, I've made A Cromwell and a Sherman Firefly in 1/48 and loved them. Tamiya 1/48 armour comes with diecast metal lower hulls that add some nice heft to to the kit.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes it was a sad introduction to Tamiya.. very disappointing

[@allandavis8201]

I only had one wife, and that was enough for me, but the good thing is that, like most women of our generation, they won’t want your stash or anything to do with modelling, there are some very fine lady model makers who could outshine me with one arm tied behind their back and blindfolded, but in general your stash etc should be safe, unlike your bank account, self esteem, home and/or mortgage 💸 payments, and kids turned against you (luckily my two are both grown up and left home). My ex-wife leaving was a really tough time, as you probably know from experience, and getting back into modelling was a way of coping emotionally, now, after 8years I can say that modelling is now my hobby again, not a support mechanism, thanks for another excellent show, thumbs up as usual. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇺🇺🇦

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Modelling replaces wife.. and doesn’t talk back.

[@thedisabledwelshman9266]

@@HarryHoudiniModels is that mulder and scully on your shirt?

[@maevethefox5912]

​@@HarryHoudiniModels I'm a wife *with* a wife, and we both hold that opinion about my modelling xD

[@tankmaker9807]

That kit came out in the 70's. I built a lot of them back in the 80's. These days I use the RFM hull with DML and resin turrets from the stash. Tamiya kits from the last 5 years or so are vastly better than that ancient model.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

True but the point of this video was the over hype about Tamiya, the over charging of the hobby store based on the brand name, and my eventual disappointment

[@tankmaker9807]

​@@HarryHoudiniModels In my modeling circle talk about Tamiya kits is usually: It goes together well, but details are lacking compared to x, y, z brands with ten times the parts count. The latest kits from Tamiya are very nice, but as I have been building Tamiya armor since 1978 I know what to avoid in the line up.

[@1965GJS13]

My "never again" manufacturer is (was) Kitty Hawk. I tried, and failed, to build their 1/48th Lockheed F-35B. I swear that kit didn't even have one single test-fit trial before it was released on an unsuspecting public. It was horrible. Nothing fit, seams in strange places, huge ejector-pins marks everywhere..... It put me off the manufacturer for life. I have never, and will never, build another Kitty Hawk kit ever again. Pity, as they covered some unusual subjects that other manufacturers just don't cover at all. So I wasn't sorry when they went bust not too long ago. Good riddance! ;-)

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I had one of their kits and just the massive amount of parts and confusing instructions were enough for me to sell it on.

[@geoffpereira3227]

You and me both. Their Dauphin has to rank as the biggest POS that ever saw the light of day.

[@DavidLee-df888]

One of my only memories of my grandmother is when she bought me one of those Tamiya motorised tank kits when i was really too young to build it, i was maybe 7 or 8. I think it was also a T-34 as well. Even then, I thought it not quite the right shape, and the tracks just wouldn't glue together properly since i was not allowed to melt them together. And worst of all it was a later boxing that didn't even have the motorised parts included so i couldn't make it move. Thank goodness later on in the 90s I bought and built a few much better Tamiya kits, a Bradley, an M1, a Chieftain, an NR1 and a MacLaren MP4/4. So those newer kits made me appreciate Tamiya for their engineering if not the prices.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks for sharing your experience David

[@gothamgoon4237]

Tamiya can be hit or miss. Particularly their older kits. They fit together very well but lack detail. Their newer kits are better.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Apparently so, but the shop staff should not have 1. try to tell me how great Tamiya were then 2. overcharged for what is plainly a very ordinary cheap old kit. Hence my disappointment

[@prc789]

Finally, someone who agrees with me on Model kits. Tamiya kits are not for model makers, they're for model painters,

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yep.. they may as well sell them fully assembled ready for painting LOL

[@HagersvilleHunk]

I have made the best from the worst kits out there. And everytime I do,I improve my skills. As far as getting burned buying a toy,buyer beware. Not every manufacture gets it right the first time. It has happened to me. And it will happen again,I'm sure.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Mark... that was 10 years ago and since then I use Scalemates to check reviews and date of tooling. But for anyone just coming back, or new to the hobby, well they don't have those skills yet, like myself back then, so we rely on the sage advice from the shop staff. I have since realised not all can be trusted.

[@alwoodsmodellingmayhem]

I think as you say there are different reasons why people buy Tamiya that don't float your boat mate. The painting and weathering is a particular modellers thing, a nice easy build to restart the mojo might be another, even dio fillers to put alongside other kits. Over here, they are cheaper than a lot of other kit manufacturers (although you could say the quality is reflected in the price) as you say, you can't say Tamiya make bad kits, they are just not your thing. I cannot build a length of tracks from separate links, it would frustrate me how long a build is taking.👍😉

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

And yet I can do a side of links in half an hour… easy when you know how. Plus I am still awake and enjoying it at the end.

[@clouddog2393]

Tamiya are and continue to be heads and shoulders above the competition . Accuracy and ease of building are what l want from a kit and is what l get from them .I don,t like the over the top , complicated and over engineered assembly of some of the other model firms . l want to enjoy the hobby not be awed and frustrated by it .

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

We have different expectations of enjoyment

[@captaincharlemagne]

One kit I built that threw me off their kits was a resin combrig 1/700 USS Maine. So I had got into resin models because it had a lot of new and unique kits that I was interested in. So after building the Nikos model USS Iowa(BB-4) pre-dreadnought I decided I wanted another early USN warship and decided to get a model of the USS Maine that went and was destroyed in Havana harbor. So I paid $70 dollars for it. And I was highly disappointed I had spent several days working on the PE parts and even after working on her for over a month well it was pitiful looking and I had seen several of their kits and they were nicely detailed but this was terrible. I can say I understand why you are disappointed with Tamiya as I have a similar issue when it comes to combrigs resin kits. Loved your vid Harry hope you stay healthy sir

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I am fighting fit thank you

[@brucegibbins3792]

My slant on kit choice comes down to what I can relate to personally. Like, as an example, I wouldn't built a Bristol Britania, but would a Vickers Viscount, both turbo prop and contemporaries of each other. The Vickers was flown by our domestic carrier, where the Bristol wasn't. One has personal relevance while the other not so much. One of the several crash hot reasons for being a kit builder is that I can please myself - nothing is wrong and mistakes can be corrected, or the kit recycled. But my goal is the finished model, the less buggerising about getting parts to fit because the pattern maker is not at the top of their game, just makes more work for me to do.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Bruce.. well for you Tamiya is perfect. However my needs are opposite. I like to put my own stamp on the construction and am happy to reshape parts to suit my needs of conversion or updating. I’m in no race to complete the assembly. We are both modelling, just different approaches. The main theme of this video was the overpriced hype of Tamiyas old models. I was ripped off and sold a dud. If it had been a $20 kit I would have been happy to pour some more cash in to upgrade it. But being charged $55 for a kit, that in comparison to a Cyber Hobby kit I had bought for $40 which had all the bells and whistles, is just plain exploitation due to the Tamiya brand.

[@shadovanish7435]

I built the same Tamiya T-34 kit, probably about 45 years ago. At the time, I was about 12 years old, & Tamiya kits were new & incredible to me, & that (at the time) some of Tamiya's 1/35 scale tanks were motorized & remote control made them so much better & interesting than the static Monogram tank models I'd built, before building some Tamiya's tank models. Yes, the T-34 was kind of toy like in detail, but to me, it was a much more detailed "toy" than what I would have expected for a motorized toy tank to have, that was made by a toy company, rather than a model company. But back then, Tamiya was the only model company that offered motorized (& also remote control, for some kits) model tank kits, that I was aware of, & to me, that made Tamiya stand above the rest. But back then, Tamiya also had a 1/25 scale line of tanks, with some of these kits motorized & some R/C (I believe). I built 2 of these 1/25 scale kits, the Jagdpanther & the Cheiftain (which I still have). Both models were motorized (without R/C), & were considerably more detailed than the Tamiya 1/35 scale tank models that I had built. I believe Tamiya set a higher standard for detail over 45 years ago, but comparing the details of today's modeling technology to even Tamiya's modeling technology of 45 + years ago is probably rather like the apples to oranges non-comparison. Anyway, I get that you were disappointed with the Tamiya T-34 kit, & reasons why you were, but I suppose I see the the old kit from a little broader perspective, & so feel a bit different about it. On the other hand, the last models I built were the Airfix 1/76 scale Aerial Refueling Set, which included 2 tanker (Bowser) trucks; a Bedford QL & an AEC Matador. These models were quite fiddly to build properly (which I was rather expecting), & I scratch built a steering wheel for the Bedford, & windscreen & windows for both models (as these parts weren't included with the kits). I only built these 2 Airfix tanker models as a "one time effort", for the experience, & I figured I could put a lot of time & effort into the builds, only to produce a decent (not outstanding), result. After completing the 2 models, which took about a year, my assessment of result was basically correct, but the models did turn out better than I thought they would. In summation, the time consuming trail & error scratch building process could have been avoided if the mentioned scratch built (basic) parts had been included with the kits to begin with. The fine details of the kits were actually quite good, but the fitment of parts was often not precise (again, as I expected), & required careful filing for proper fit. Was it worth it to me? I suppose so, but I don't think I'd do it again. Great post, btw!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Do you get paid by the word?

[@acfnugget7880]

Absolutely enjoyed listening to your reasons why you're not keen on Tamiya kits. It was a great reminder how individual we are and how varied our preferences can be. I particularly liked that you acknowledged that Tamiya kits are well engineered, they just don't present a challenge to your own model building preferences. I recently came across your channel on your Airfix Sunderland build and it's a perfect example of a kit that needs worked on but if the effort is put in, a real diamond can be the end result. Perhaps too many of the younger modellers don't want to work hard to get results. Looking forward to watching many more of your vids!👍👍

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Great to have you aboard Nugget

[@grahamleach9440]

I think I’m a bit like you Harry. Love building and getting bits to fit,and the basic painting,but lose the will to live when it comes to weathering.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes the weathering thing is just out of control… if those aircraft guys ever looked at real aircraft then they would not see all those preshaded panel lines! And modulation on Armour is absurd!

[@vo1non]

Sorry to hear your experience with Tamiya was so bad. I put together that T 34 around 1990, and yes, it was kinda clunky, but I didn’t mind it. That shop keeper shouldn’t have built up your expectations!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes my beef is with the hype, not so much Tamiya’s product.

[@tm5123]

This was mostly a trash shop keeper, not really a tamiya issue.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Correct.

[@graemekelleher6669]

Dude! You are my hero I've been saying this for years, I have the old (1970+) Revel 1/32 Spitfires, Mosquito, Hurricane, F-14, Beaufighter, Hasegawa FW-190 etc, etc, etc. I sand all the raised panel lines etc, and re-scribe correctly and add correct details, build cockpits from scratch, and I LOVE the BUILD. We are the 'same cloth' brother, no one else in my model club does this.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you matey

[@jonakason4451]

I really appreciate your highly personalized views on the subject of scale modeling. You bring a human factor to the table that coincidentally I identify with to large degree. I myself just coming back after a 45-year hiatus, rediscovering these childhood pleasures and wanting to take it up as a hobby. The kits I find inspiring are objects that I have some connection with or personal experience, being it cars, planes ships, or whatever. Popular car models from my child hood, iconic car designs, airplanes I saw in the sky or travelled with and so on. Regretfully the bulk of kits today is military, sports cars (I hate sport cars) and fantasy objects. I have to look long and far to find the few kits that ring my bells. I agree with you on focusing on your own interests and setting your standards to your own taste. This way you get the most possible personal satisfaction out of this hobby. I only do it for myself, not to impress others or to mimic some "experts" on youtube. Thank you for sharing your self this way. It rings with me 🙂

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Great to hear you resonated with my video

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

I have enjoyed every Tamiya kit I've encountered, but you make a very good point about them being too well done. I personally like the painting and detailing a lot more than the actual build, but I can definitely see where they could be extremely irritating for people who prefer a bit of a challenge making parts fit just right.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

thanks Matey

[@syrmalcolm]

Hah.. this was entertaining. Becker and I got into a bit of a convo over that same company after my experience with the 1/32 F-14. I had always expected super high quality of a kit out of a box from them. Companies like Zvezda, Trumpeter - I know are "research this subject" companies, but I expected high-quality. 13 Shekels for a rebox of a kit made in the 70's.. that was my breaking point. I don't mind paying shekels.. but not for old molds/designs. I also don't mind doing extra work, but I'd like to know that going into it, but I also don't want to shell out shekels for the base kit. :) Now, I might decide to pick up one of their kits, but only if the subject is one I really want AND it has some in-box reviews I can look into. Thanks for sharing HH. Hope you're doing ok stayin' dry.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Mal… yes never mention Airfix to Becker… he will chastise you for not buying Tamiya.

[@Arkasha-Z]

I just now found your channel and I absolutely love it. The quote about buying a new kit is so true though. I have like 20 kits sitting in my closet that I just gave up on, either cause I got stuck, messed something up, or just got bored and decided to start something more interesting.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yep that happens… maybe I will finish them one day, but who cares? They’re my models, I can do what I like with them.

[@benmanning4340]

Having never built Tamiya kits as of yet, I can't give an opinion. However, the only Tamiya products I have used for my builds in their acrylic paint and that is fantastic - but as you say the price is even high on their paints and glues. Great video!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

A Tamiya virgin… wow! I thought I’d been the only one!

[@a.g.6224]

I have never been disappointed with Tamiya kits,they are easy to build and looks good..

[@BattleshipOrion]

After building a few Airfix kits after getting serious about the hobby (I tried them first based on your experience) I can safely say that I enjoyed one of the 2 I got. I'm not put off the brand, I'm just not building another F/A-18 from them again. The BF-109 kit I got is pretty. Basic paint job for a beginner, and I intend to get two more. Kit went together easily, adjustments were made where needed, and I bought masking tap & glue for it because I knew what I was gonna need as an absolute BASIC bit of paint work. As far as ships, you probably have a comment from me on a recent video about my current IJN Shokaku build. She's my first Tamiya kit, and while it seems very much like a more advanced LEGO set, I wont say I'll build them for the rest of my life. My previous ship was Fujimi's Yamato, and boy was she COMPLICATED. I loved every bit of it. The only part I hated about it, was how much fun she was to build, and the fact that I wanted to keep going. I love a good bit of actual problem solving that's not work related

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I like a problem to solve as well… which is why I enjoy a bit of scratch work or kit upgrading.. but that is my choice, not everyone wants to exercise their mind in the hobby.

[@MarkALong64]

I bought a kit model of Harry Houdini and one of his famous illusions and it was a complete rip off. Even though the box was completely sealed, all the parts of the figure were completely gone when I opened it.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Ha ha yes that would be a huge disappointment! Bloody escapologist!

[@williamvolenec53]

😂🤣😂🤣😂👍

[@jacksonhudd3681]

Hi great video's btw, may I ask? Are all the kit boxes behind you empty because you have made them? Or are they your stash?

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

That is my stash of kits to build. I have another whole cupboard full of the boxes from kits I have already made.

[@jacksonhudd3681]

@@HarryHoudiniModels ok thanks for the reply mate! Happy modelling 👍

[@therealcrisis8439]

I can definitely see where you are coming from with this. I had a Königstiger kit from that same line from Tamiya back in the Day. Now, I was too young to really notice the issues in context with Scale modelling (I was just building the Kit to play with it without painting or anything), but even then, I always thought that it was very "basic" and not really something I would take seriously as a model kit. Looking back with the experience I have now I could probably make a decent model out of that kit, but I don't think it would be worth the hassle when there are cheaper, far superior options available.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It is not so much the quality, but the over pricing of a kit just because it has the Tamiya name on it. I have no problem taking a basic old kit then adding aftermarket and scratch building to improve it. I have done that many times on this channel. If the T-34 had been $10 or even $20 and it was clear that it was an old toy kit, I could have lived with it. But being told this kit will make you love and buy that brand for ever more, charging me a premium, then finding its a cheap toy, well that was the disappointment.

[@billballbuster7186]

Yes, you got an old Tamiya kit tooled in the 1970's, which was quite a good kit for the standards of the day. The fact is most manufacturers re-box old kits, your beloved Airfix had decades long production runs but kept the prices in line with new toolings. Is this fair - NO and Airfix did get the message and now box old kits as Vintage. But most companies do not.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

True but not the point of the video

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

The point of this video is the hysteria about Tamiya that lets shop owners charge 3 times the worth of a kit, then hold a straight face and lie to you point blank saying “you will love this kit”, “its the best thing since sliced bread”, “once you build Tamiya then you will build nothing else”. All of this was false. I have no issue if it is an old kit, I build many old kits from the 60’s from Airfix, Matchbox and Revell. But I get them at an appropriate price and know what to expect. I am not bashing Tamiya. Their modern kits are well engineered and they surpassed Airfix back in the 80’s, when I had stopped scale modelling, so had no experience of them. My comparison was of my experience, I had just built the Dragon kit, which had cost me half the price of the this Tamiya kit. But the Tamiya kit was very, very, very, poor, for the money paid and expectation given by the shop salesman. Hence my disappointment.

[@ThumperE23]

Considering that T-34 kit is something close to 40 years old, and just been reboxed. It's not and never will be to modern standards. I have built several of those kits, and the shopkeep was selling you on the modern kits, not knowing or lying that this kit is getting close to collecting a pension.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

..and hence my disappointment after being ripped off 3 times the price of what it is really worth and lied to about loving Tamiya for the rest of my life

[@ThumperE23]

@@HarryHoudiniModels because you were solid a bill of goods by the hobby shop owner on a 40 year old kit? One of my dearest friends owns a hobby shop and I asked why he stoks those kits, he says its for kids doing their first kit, and explains to them its an old kit but a solid easy build.

[@petergowans49]

Built that, it's a good kit to depect a blown up wreck with 25:18

[@setoredan]

Very enjoyable vid to watch. Just about to try to get back into this hobby now that I'm pushing near 60. Used to build models, poorly, back in the late 70's

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Welcome back to the hobby… a lot has changed.. I go through that in my “What is wrong with scale modelling” video

[@kenhanson1819]

Wow, I've found a kindred soul...lol! I'm with you Harry. I have several Tamiya kits in my stash, but no interest in building any of them at the moment. I enjoy the construction part of model building most of all, and solving fit problems. With Revell kits, it usually just means a lot of flash cleanup. Painting is not my favorite part, but the worst for me is decaling. I don't think I've built a kit in the last eight years where at least one of the decals didn't rip, silver or moved out of position on me whilst left to dry overnight. Thanks for the video! I feel better about not being on the Tamiya bandwagon.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Have you tried Tamiya Mark Fit? It has worked well for me in both placing and setting the decals with hardly ever any tears

[@kenhanson1819]

Thanks@@HarryHoudiniModels! Yes, I've used it a few times. Sometimes it works great and other times not. I had some Italeri decals from an older kit that wouldn't budge. They just laughed at me when I put Mark Fit on them. Micro Sol didn't work either. Mr. Mark Softer did the trick, so that's why I now keep several different brands of decal products at the bench. You never know which decals will play nice and which won't!

[@rkyyrs9477]

Did you spray the kit with gloss clear first before trying the decals?

[@diemman70]

I grew up building Tamiya kits. 😆 It’s hard to find hobby shops here in California. I usually end up ordering everything now. I agree with you as the journey is more fun than the destination. I build RC planes now especially the balsa variety. 🥂

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks for sharing Chris… I built balsa control line aircraft as a kid

[@shellyjones3284]

Actually, I like the Tamiya T-34 but I know it's a 1970s kit and, as such, isnt the same as a kit designed I. 2020. On the other hand, its $20 USD versus $90 for Bugler or Lizard.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes $20 would be a fair price, but you would be disappointed to pay double that or more, like I did.

[@AshenShugar0965]

Yeah I had the T34 kit when I young and have no idea where it ended up. Along comes Ebay and I have it again. Very happy I managed to get back a much-loved and played-with kit. Yes it is a toy, but it gave me fond memories so money didn't come into it. I have the GPA also and what impresses me about Tamiya is the engineering. Fit is almost perfect.

[@Curry_Communist]

@@AshenShugar0965 fr Tamiya fit is beautiful

[@PeterCov12inNZ]

Loved watching and listening to your video. Currently working on the Airfix 1:72 scale Vulcan and the Tamiya Marc Marquez MotoGP Honda from 2014. I am over the ditch in Auckland NZ and wondering if you are running into the same issues with getting stuff like paints and panel line accents etc. Most of the NZ shops are out of stock on so many things. I retired end of 2021 and so have plenty of time to attack my stash of kits bought over 12 years ago plus new ones of course. Back in the day I would buy kits and extras from Roll Models in the USA but they seem to have gone away. Have you found a reliable overseas source for stuff you cant get in Oz?

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Hi Peter, I stocked up on paints a few years back so haven’t needed to order anything lately. Best OS kit supply I found is www.modelhobbies.co.uk/ They have a flat £10 postage rate to Australia and don’t charge VAT for exports. So most kits I could get on early release, and far cheaper than locally, plus they arrive in about 2-3 weeks all the way from Ole Blighty. American imports now have ridiculous postage costs, having more than doubled over the past few years. So unless it is from Amazon I don’t bother.

[@fess1of9]

hmmm. i have done a hg gundam an rg gundam and in middle of my first mg gundam. I love thems. i do have a question. i got the f-86 sabre the joseph mconnel beautous butch one. n that is glue. my question is who makes the best military aircraft kits. i want to get a MIG 15bis and a sikorsky sh-19a or maybe b. also if you were gonna recommend or advise someone doing their first glue model kits what is like 3 advices or tips that would be the most helpful. cause waiting in the wings is a 1:350 Enterprise NCC 1701 the one that is the pilot edition where you can pick your build n that's gonna get lights n the works but that is a year away. i wanna start my journey to the NCC 1701 with the least amount of suck lol. anything will be appreciated,

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

There are many good aircraft kit manufacturers. Eduard, Kinetic, Trumpeter and modern Airfix put out superb kits, which fit well for the most parts and only have minor issues which can be easily fixed by any modeller. But if you want a click together kit, so you can assemble quickly with no modelling required, then Tamiya is your choice. You just became a painter

[@joesoul2472]

I've seen modellers take a lot of Gundam kits and take them to the next level. Re-etched panel lines, using styrene sheets to add and upgrade the armor, adding wires and pistons. it's really cool to see the basic HG kits turned into something that blows even the PG kits out of the water in terms of detail

[@Anlushac11]

I built up that T-34. Its one of my best kits. I did spend to get the rear engine vent with louvers and screen. I used stock track and wheels. I also filled in the sponsons and the rear hull where axle goes in. I also scratch built the ramps that knock the track pins back in. Of course you cant see the ramps.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I also added photo etch and many aftermarket parts then gave it a snappy paint job. My issue in this video is the overblown hype and fan boy cult that lets shop owners over inflate prices based on brand name alone.

[@gibbs677bg]

I bought a Dragon Jagdpanther and after that kit I could never go back to Tamiya, I had built the Tamiya Hanomag kit with figures and again once I had built and painted some Dragon figures totally lost the love for Tamiya, mostly because of the not to scale reviews I was seeing and those damn rubber band tracks that you were supposed to join together with a hot screwdriver head, and those nasty mould lines on the old figures,,,,,eeeeeek. You brought back some horrific memories there Harry 😅🤣

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Once you’ve eaten the forbidden fruit that is Dragon… it’s hard to go back to Tangerines

[@gibbs677bg]

@@HarryHoudiniModels 😅😆🤣

[@malcolmmacdougall]

yes, also Tacom, Meng and Das Werk............... that is if you like tanks..........plus you can't beat a Hasegawa BF109, loads of different variants............. i haven't built a Tamiya for ages, not since the new tool Yamato disaster.................. the best tank for pure quality is the Meng 2A7+, it is utterly brilliant

[@4ngu54110tt]

As you say Harry... you're a builder. Yes, you want a challenge, you want to put yourself into the model. Well Tamiya kits are brilliantly engineered...to make the build easy. Painters love them and have very good reasons to do so. Plenty of modellers hate the build but love the painting and weathering, or making a diarama story. I'm into the Tamiya RC kits more than the Tamiya static kits because I'm a builder mainly too although I also enjoy the painting side, and you need the RC kits to be accurate and well engineered because the point of the RC kits is to run them hard without too many breakages. So stick to what you like the most and build and modify the kits that give you joy. Whatever they are, make sure to film it because what you do to your kits is fantastic. Cheers 🙂

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Angus.. horses for courses… these videos are just me musing about my experience

[@alanritchie9781]

I got a Tamaya M1A1 Abrahams with a bad sag in the models turret tool kit? Still trying to figure out how to fix the defect on the model?

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Fixing it will teach you modelling skills… solving problems is very good at stopping you getting altimeters later in life.

[@j.4332]

Tamiyas best were the 1/12 F1 cars.I built 5-the 1970 Ferrari-Matra-Lotus-Honda-Wolf,awesome.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

You are absolutely correct. I was recently given the Tamiya 1/12 Honda F-1 and I love it. Building the kit now.

[@colinhenry3551]

Hi Harry, Just getting back into the hobby after retiring last year,i think Tamiya have now been caught up and in some caese overtaken by other manufacturers, I have nearly finished the Airfix Katy ambulance,and have the a couple of other Airfix kits to get into,and must say they are good quality,although you have to look out for short shots ,i think a tighter qaulity control should be in place , All the best Harry.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Colin

[@jazzmusician46]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and history. I can identify so much with you being a 1959 model! I have recently gotten back into modelling. My nemesis is Italeri. Hopeless. Thanks once again for sharing with us. There seems so much emphasis on painting it does take away from the building aspect of modelling.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Have you seen my video on the Italscary Fiat 500? Worst kit in the world.

[@Yves95128]

Hi Harry, I always thought that Tamiya was overrated, their race cars, F1, Le Mans are cool but they need a lot of scratch build to bring the detail close to reality, and the engine cover rarely close well on their formula ones, plus if it doesn't say Cartograph, the decals are not opaque and brittle in certain cases, for example, I built the 2001 Ferrari F1, beautiful kit but there was a big white decal on the fin behind the pilot, to replace the tobacco sponsor, that was stiff and broke under its own weight before it touched the model...Btw, tobacco sponsors or swastikas should be included in kits, it's up to the modeler to chose what they want to build, so I printed my own Marlboro decals and even if the quality was not great, the car looks much better. I'm building an (old) 8tons Hanomag half-track from Tamiya, same thing, it's a toy too, with sink marks and if you don't remove it and patch the hole, the switch is visible🙄, it's okay for a diorama, I guess. Thanks for the video.👍 Yves.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Yves

[@williambarck5958]

HH, I just subscribed to your YT channel; I really enjoy your frank, authentic anecdotes, and friendly advice. As for being rotten at relationships, right there with you, mate. "The worst day fishing beats the best day at work",is a saying you may have heard, but I came up with "The worst day single beats the best day in a bad marriage". So, at 65, I have take up renovating old Matchbox and Hot Wheels and Corgi vehicles, and I find it very soothing and relaxing and challenging as a means of tuning out the World and focusing the mind, right?

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Welcome aboard William… do what makes you happy mate

[@marcus1192]

Great story. Am my self a builder, not a painter. I build all kits, I don’t really have a maker I don’t like, if it’s an old poor kit we’ll it’s just a bigger challenge 😄. Just came back to the scene last year after 30+ years. And a lot has happened since last I built 😄👍🏻

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It is a strange new hobby now with photo etch, resin, 3D printed parts and a ton of aftermarket. I used to just build the kits out of the box… but after my 30 year break it was an eye opening experience returning to the hobby.

[@coldlakealta4043]

Many a decade ago my grandfather and I went to a tiny hobby store in Toronto, Canada just about every Saturday and bought a little Airfix aircraft in the little plastic bags and we would spend the next week of evenings building it up. Biplanes were the topic of choice, and we could have more than one of type in different colours. They were then attached to lengths of thread and pinned to the ceiling of my bedroom in various attitudes of flight, in little groups of dog fights. My grandmother pinned little tufts of cotton balls to the ceiling to make little clouds. Some of the best memories of my life.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

A lovely story… thank you for sharing

[@zakshakey4686]

Hey, thanks - I really needed to hear this. Been a modeller you could say similar circumstances to you. My bro wants to get my nephew into modelling - he's a lego technic kid but i think he seems to find them easy, hence why the consideration for kit building. My bro built the Bismarck when he was younger and I remember it being a pretty pucker job. Anyway I've never built Tamiya apart from a couple of boxes of US and Soviet figures back in the day. I've been getting reviews of Tamiya as great beginner kits but after your input, I think it may be a bit too basic for him - so that's probably a mistake well avoided. Open to suggestions about any other beginner yet not too basic brands. (P.S. I like painting but never ventured into weathering yet - like yourself, I'm more of an intricate details man). Once again, cheers for the advice.👍🙂

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

My pleasure Zak.. I call them as I see them, and won’t cow tow to the fan boys.

[@52down]

I think Special Hobby's kits would make your day. Any short run technology kit, that requires fiddling, scribing, reshaping, scratch building yet represents interesting subject with decent surface detail

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes they do.. I have a few of their Submarines and Aircraft

[@pawpawstew]

They're called "Special" for a reason!

[@drfus1166]

Tamiya is the golden standard usually.....

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

So they told me.. but not all of their kits are fabulous

[@kevinjohnson8220]

If you don't buy the cheapest old junk they have out there, they usually are. But you need to do your research. The side of the box is a start. If it says 1979 or earlier don't build it. If it says 1989 or earlier proceed with caution This applies to their armor and aircraft kits only, not their cars.

[@PlasticImaginationWorkshop]

Great video and I appreciate the honesty. I have only built a hand full of Tamiya kit's myself and so far I have enjoyed them. Have a great day. -David

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks David glad you enjoyed my video

[@klamar123]

Great content. I come from a completely different direction. Just getting back into the hobby and amazed at how many options there are and how much easier it's gotten to make a model look realistic. Painting, decals and weathering are my jam. I'm a graphic designer and illustrator who has always loved planes and ships. And as a kid I'd just glob the kits together as fast as I could, with horrible seams and gaps and sprue ends and sink holes and I didn't care one bit, because I wanted to get to the GOOD PART... researching, matching paint and camo, correct weathering. The builds -- as canvas -- didn't do the artwork justice. While in college I joined the nearest IPMS group (nearly 2 hour drive away!) and realized many modelers (especially when it comes to competitions) are primarily focused on the building aspect, one of seamless perfection. And in comparison I felt my modeling was inadequate, and when I tried puttying and sanding and filling it bored and aggrevated me to no end. So I quit. In 1995 I just stopped. For ME, a modern Tamiya kit is a godsend. It provides a quick easy way without hassle to replicate the object physically and get to the part that I enjoy. If I knew someone like you in the North Texas DFW area, I'd say "How about you BUILD 'em and I'll PAINT 'em?"

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

That would be a perfect deal…

[@monster900900]

yup ,, i started my modeling journey on the good old airfix kits back in the sixties ,, and they just had to be war ships ,, built a few tamiya kits which from memory were good so i ve been lucky i guess ,, now after a 40 year lay off ,, its hms victory by heller which is a real challenge ,, keep up the good work harry ,,

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

You’ll have your work cut out for you with the Victory, but it will be time well spent.

[@johnteetsov9800]

One thought about Tamiya which I have found to be as you say: easy builds; great painting/weathering practice opportunities…box art is superb. Let’s acknowledge how many kits are sold on box art alone. Cheers!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

That is true, however the old T-34 kit has very dated box art. That had me suspicious from the start, but the shop assured me it was a very good kit, in a sealed box mind you.

[@redfern03]

Brilliant story mate, thanks. Just come back to the hobby after a long time and am having a blast. 1:72 German armour, 4 kits in now, loving it.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Mark

[@SteamRailPatreonR761VR]

Since we are talking about crappy kits the hobbyboss P51 C (mustang) has to take the cake ( I was young and inexperienced so inevitably I'm going to be biased) The issues started right out of the box out from memory,there were supposed to be 4 spruces instead I only found 3 so hopped in my car down to the store,asked the guy (David I'm pretty sure his name was) asked him about it and well what do you know he had a spare kit of the p51 he offered me a full refund for it (not a problem ) got the new kit home opened it up all the spruces were there ✅ Included the decals ✅ No lose parts✅ And well I started building the kit and the dodgy parts were fiddly (mind you I'm 6'8 so I do have big Bear hands) constant sanding and I mean constant! the glue I used was good but the decals bloody silvered within 5 minutes the parts while really well detailed was the only grace with the bloody thing so in a fit of rage lined the model with firecrackers and **Bang **Bang **Bang**. She went up in a blaze of smoke and only then did I feel happy ( I retired from model making for a while ) until last year when my other half bought me the airfix Bismarck so me and her are nearly done with the kit ( just painting her and it's been really good ( a few issues but nothing major) and as a result I'm enjoying the hobby again after nearly a decade of not building models.Cheers harry for a smashing Video -Cyrus in Brighton

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I wasn’t saying the kit was crappy, just disappointing for the price charged, and the absurd hype I was given by the salesman about how great Tamiya was. If I had paid $20 and told it was an old kit but not bad to build, then that would have been fine. I wasn’t, I was lied to.

[@SteamRailPatreonR761VR]

@@HarryHoudiniModels ah my bad thanks for clarifying 😀

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

No problem.. good to hear you have rekindled your enjoyment for the hobby with an Airfix kit.

[@williamangell3114]

Ive always had an amazing experience with tamiya, just amazing quality both armour and aviation, recently been making a trumpeter kits, also great if not better

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Many do seem to have a euphoric experience with Tamiya…. but I was disappointed with their T-34 for the reasons outlined in this video.

[@prestonmonkey]

For crying out loud, the kit he is lambasting is as old as him. Some people just want something to moan about.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It’s not the kit… it’s the hysteria and fanboydom about Tamiya that results in excessive prices for average kits and massive peer pressure to conform and build Tamiya. I was lied to, ripped off, and hence disappointed. No moaning, just reporting the facts.

[@allansmith6140]

I've always said that with a lot of builders these days it is all about the painting and the building an inconvenience, one bit of flash and they rant and rave about how bad the kit is. I do not mind painting myself and have lots of airbrushes, full sets of Tamiya and Humbrol paints. The first kits I built when I was about 5 years old were Monogram and Revell, moved onto Airfix after that. Whilst I appreciate newer kits, nothing gets me more excited than building the older kits where lots of fitment is required. The other thing is that vintage kits offer subjects that are generally not available with modern offerings.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I completely agree with you Allan

[@markandrews223]

I loved your video Harry, thanks for sharing. I have always enjoyed the Tamiya kits, however with so many manufacturers around now there's always something new to try. I recently started the Border model Crusader kit and apart from the tracks on which some links have deep injector pin marks, the rest of the model is excellent. But, I always end up getting drawn back to where it all began for me in the 70's, good old Tamiya armour. Keep up the great informative work.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Will do matey.. thanks for commenting

[@joncassino]

Have you ever heard of Lindberg Models? I bet you would love them.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I have had a few Lindberg kits given to me over the years… one peek in the box and I put them on Ebay… I am sure someone would either not care about how awful they were, or like the challenge of improving the kit, but not for me.

[@lysanderkrieg5474]

If as you say, you like scratch building correcting kits, then early Tamiya kits should be your dream kits. But I guess you are just salty. I like the early Tamiya kits for that very reason. They are cheap so if you screw it up and bin it, hasn't cost you much. By the sounds of what you paid for the T34, they saw you coming, rubbed their hands together and thought to themselves, here's another sucker. I've had that exact t34 kit and from memory it cost me $10 AUD. And that was StanBridges price, worst hobby thieves in WA. Best thing that happened to them was they closed down.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

As far as I know that small RC hobby shop in Brissy who sold me the overpriced T-34 have also closed down. I don’t trust shop assistants anymore and instead have learned to check prices and reviews on scalemates first.

[@lysanderkrieg5474]

@@HarryHoudiniModels If you really want a blatant rip off kit, check out some of the Revell kits. 70's/80's mouldings at today's prices.

[@PiperStart]

I look forward to seeing your build of the Tamiya Honda S 600. I have been considering getting it, but have just obtained an old Bandai 1/16 Bugatti Coupe which looks like a fun build. I avoid Tamiya Armour kits for the very reasons you mentioned - sheer boredom, and cost.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Hallelujah. Someone at last got it. Yes their Armour kits are just overpriced toys. I’ll try to enjoy the S600 kit… it was a gift, so it will just be what it will be, and I can accept that.

[@michaelyounger8767]

Great video, good to listen to someone with an alternative take on model building. I too find some kits to well made which give me a sense of underachievement. Regarding painting because of cost and storage I keep my colours to a minimum. I love model making (all manufacturers) and will continue to take the bad with the good or ugly.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you Michael

[@WatchingPlanes165]

Horses for courses. Good on ya for learning early on what you like, and don't like, in a kit. An interesting story with an uncommon perspective on Tamiya. These days, most modellers that post online spend about 80% of a "build" in the paint booth creating hyper realistic models. Your candour is refreshing.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Ian… good to know you got the point of my video.

[@Spitsz01]

I like Tamiya but I understand your point. Half of the challenge/fun is finding the flaws and doing the research and correcting them. Airfix on the other hand is what almost every child started with, lots of nostalgia there! Still love them. Hasagawa has some really great and unique armor models in 1/76 or1/72. Dragon in 1/35 is similar. Right now I'm building the Airfix Churchill with the "flying dustbin" gun in 1/72. Petard or AVRE. Have you tried "Das Werk" yet? Cheers from The Netherlands, love your channel.Keep it up! (lol)

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I haven’t built any Das Werk kits yet… still trying to get through my WIP before I get any new kits

[@Spitsz01]

@@HarryHoudiniModels Yes, I call it my "wall of shame" because lazy.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

My wall of shame is just because after building a kit, I put off the painting, instead start another one.

[@peterbellwood5412]

@@HarryHoudiniModels We all do that , surely ?

[@chrislapp9468]

Used to luck out sometimes even back in the 70s with the Revell kits. Some had some good detail with riveted panel lines on the ww2 planes. But, overall; lots of flash, trimming up, puttying back then.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Revell America was always hit and miss, with many poor Monogram reboxings. However Revell Germany I have found to be much more reliable most of the time.

[@Touch_Finger]

I built a Tamiya Panzer in the early eighties that was motorized. I don’t remember what it cost but I never could get the thing to work right. I don’t think I knew it was motorized when I bought it so I just left the motor inside and unplugged it. Tamiya is all I built though because they really dominated the 1/35th market. I remember the artwork on the boxes were really nice too. Any way, great video, thanks.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you matey

[@zachnar0125]

Yea im sorry but I just DONT touch 70s Tamiya kits or Italeri..... Most of the older gentlemen in the hobby will bareknuckle fight you over this claim. Literally not joking. They will huff and puff, inflate and just start running at you lol

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I now know the issue… my beef was with the shop salesmen and in general the over zealous Tamiya fan boys. All makes have good and bad kits.

[@zachnar0125]

@@HarryHoudiniModels Amen never understood the super fan thing lol

[@liamwedlake9820]

Tamiya aircraft and cars are typically great things, their armour, not so much but that's why I always research kit details these days, hate going in and paying a seemingly marked up price for a 70's kit with a fancy box.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes I learned about scalemates a decade ago after getting the T-34. Never trust the model shop staff.

[@liamwedlake9820]

@@HarryHoudiniModels though, aircraft guys are aircraft guys, he would have been telling you his whole experience of tamiya, he just didn't tell you his whole experience of tamiya was limited to aircraft kits

[@Maxiplusomat]

Very well said, I perfectly understand your point! I also enjoy building old and crappy kits more - because of the sense of accomplishment. Tamyias flaw is that their kits are just too well made and engineered - therefore boring to construct and without a challenge. I recently built a relatively new Spitfire kit and it almost felt like building Legos - and I do enjoy that, but I buy Lego for that purpose. However I will always have a soft spot fot the old, toy-like Tamiya models for nostalgic reasons - as there wasn´t anything better around until the early 90s. It´s somewhat weird to hear a man of advanced age not being familiar with their ancient kits ;). Of course, when you come from recent Dragon kits their 60s and 70s stuff seems like a massive downgrade.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

In my defence I had been away from the hobby for 40 years at the time. I’d lived in Western Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand during my younger modelling years, so had never set sight on a Tamiya kit. I just built Airfix.

[@robertthomas3143]

Revell almost turned me off to modeling. I only started about five years ago. Revell were the only brand sold in the arts and crafts store in town. They were inexpensive and had levels to guide you. Unfortunately most of them fit horribly and had a lot of flashing. I didn't know much so I thought I was doing something wrong. After a long break I got a Hasegawa 1/72 harrier. It fit so well. The instructions were difficult for me to follow at the time but I finished it with only a few mistakes. I painted it with a paint brush with globs all over the place. I was really proud of it. I still try to avoid Revell but will use them as practice models for new techniques.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I wonder if you have only built the cheaper Revell of America kits, which are usually reboxings of bad old mouldings. Revell of Germany produces some very good kits these days like the U-Boat and Schnellboot’s I have made on my channel.

[@robertthomas3143]

@@HarryHoudiniModels That's probably the case. I'll eventually try out more Revell sets. They can't be one of the biggest model companies without having good ones. First I have to finish my backlog in the closet.

[@diegoarias7774]

Every modeler seems to have built the old 1/570 revell Titanic. Their new mold 1/700 Titanic is actually pretty good and have and Olympic version as well.

[@EricHonaker]

My attitude is definitely the opposite. I don't want to pay good money to find out the kit has been poorly engineered or cast. At least with Revell, I know it won't fit right, but it's going to be half the cost. So give me high detail precision kits for more money, or troublesome cheap ones.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I agree with you entirely, except I want to enjoy the build, be it well engineered or a little lacking. Finding myself fast asleep on the cutting mat after assembling an expensive toy with no challenge is just not for me.

[@KILLEMALL1066]

I'm finding this chaps revelation strange. I'm in my late 50's, and ive been model making, on and off, since I was 7 yrs old. How the hell did he not know that this Tamiya. T-34 kit was from the 1970's, and was slightly over-scaled to take the electric motor? All the early Tamiya 1970's tank kits were like this! When did he start building kits, last month? At the other end of the scale, no pun intended, some of the model kits nowadays are so over engineered that they are no longer a pleasure to build. You can't compare this T-34 kit or any other 1970's kit, with its modern day counter part, Tamiya, Dragon, or AFV Club kit!!! If you want to know the provenance of any kit, go on line and check it out on Scalemates! Check, check, and check again, is what they used to say in the military when I was in.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

This ‘chap’ started scale modelling in the 1960’s and then into the 70’s in England, Africa and West Australia where I built Airfix and the odd Revell kit. I never saw a Tamiya kit back then. I missed the golden years of Tamiya in the 80’s and 90’s after marrying and bringing up my daughter. It was only a decade ago when I can back to the hobby, after a 40 year break, as I clearly discussed in my video. So yes, this ‘chap’ had never built a Tamiya kit, and ten years ago did what I did back in the 60’s: go to a hobby shop and ask advice on a model kit. This is the crux of my video and blatant rip off being charged $55 for a toy worth at most $15. Yes I know all about scalemates now, and I prefer to buy online after checking reviews. My story is a warning to those new, or having come back to the hobby. Tamiya is not all it is cracked up to be.

[@KILLEMALL1066]

@@HarryHoudiniModels Hello Harry, I appreciate your your response, and I also like your video! No offense was intended, but I was a bit harsh! I do know the perils of buying a kit thats nothing but a rebox by an unscrupulous kit manufacturer. I think it should be stated on the box if it is! There's a company called Hobby 2000 that's selling old kits by the likes of Dragon! Airfix. 1/35 armour kits are the old Accademy kits, etc. Regards, Stig.

[@j.4332]

Im a recidivist modeller from the 70s,and i really despise the trend for "photo etch"metal bits.I dont see the point,and they are too fiddly.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Then don’t use them… often you get a plastic alternative in the kit. I always weigh up if it’s really improving the model with the PE or not.

[@brucegibbins3792]

When I built my first kit in the summer of 1959/60 a Monogram F4F produced in dark blue plastic, there were no Tamiya kits around then. The selection was from memory limited to Airfix and Monogram, but my memory has let go of a lotta stuff now, so who knows. In latter, much latter years when I caught the bug and built from plastic kits piston engined allied fighter aircraft from WW2 and civilian airliners, Tamiya became a favourite; a preferred manufacturer, because the kits they produced seemed to fit together more easily than the kits made by some other brands. Ultimately, it all comes down to the abilities of each individual model builder what kind of result can be obtained from any kit. Yet, I reckon that after all, it's always helpful to buy a good quality kit to begin with. Thanks for another, enjoyable, entertaining and informative show, Harry. You are da man😉😎🙂

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes Bruce we each have a different expectation from the hobby. I like to solve problems, so some kits that need a little fixing are just my thing.

[@captnemomodelingzone7850]

Great update I am with you about the ex wife. Took all my money and my Harley. Thank you for your story. Thank you for the heads up on a bad kit. Have a great week Sir.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

More an old, inaccurate, poorly detailed kit… which is okay if you can get it for $15-$20, not the $55 I was ripped off. Sadly it was my first taste of Tamiya and has pretty much soured the experience of their kits for me since. I have a new video where I go through Tamiya kit categories listing the good and bad aspects, with a little light hearted humour to make it interesting.

[@stephicohu]

I hate making tank tracks. I would rather have rubber bands or link-linked tracks.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Then you have never seen my easy way to do indy links. Fast, simple, and works everytime.

[@stephicohu]

@@HarryHoudiniModels : no I haven’t….

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Then have a look at this.. it might get you doing track links. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2HJfZuwdtidgc0

[@michaelbysterveld4874]

me too, sectioned pieces are a chore and they may look more accurate but there are decent renditions with certain makers in the rubber band tribe

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

If the track links are tensioned, with no slack, then rubber band tracks can work. But for early Russian and British tanks with the Christie suspension, Crusader and T-34 for example, they are only taught in forward motion, other times they have sag between the wheels. Same with WWII German Panzer tanks, which have some serious sag in the early versions. The number of times some Tank guy from the USA has gone on an on about how he tensioned the track links every day in his job in the Army and there is no sag, obviously never looked at other countries armoured vehicles or studied history.

[@urdude67]

I really enjoyed this video! You went off on many tangents, but I enjoyed each one, and I think and talk like that anyway. I share some of your perspective, about having been ill often and maybe that's what drew me to this hobby. I enjoyed following along with your whole story. I think I will dive into more of your videos just to hear more of your narrative style and your stories. I feel challenged to put more into my kits. I really dislike it when what I think are fundamental parts of a model don't fit together well. I don't think that I should have to use putty, but over the past few years I am gradually adding to my repertoire. For myself, I have always wanted to do scratch building, but deep in my soul I want to follow instructions, or something mentally blocks me. I hoard all my spare parts, and I have some sci-fi kits in my stash. Someday I will break through this creative barrier of mine and make something new. Thanks for this video.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thank you Benedict… I hope you enjoy my other videos

[@aleks1939]

I love Tamiya kits, both old and new. And I love most vinyl tracks. I have no issue painting them, weathering them, and getting a slight sag. And I'm perfectly fine with their detail. I do avoid Revell and Italeri kits though.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

As long as you are enjoying the hobby all power to you matey

[@CharlieDeltaEchoVict]

Ha ha, brilliant video - I don't understand your issue with Tamiya at all but enjoyed the journey!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris

[@73north]

Good heavens , getting threats just cause you say Tamiya is over-rated and too costly ! For my money , Hasegawa ,Eduard , the new Ukranian Manufacxturers like Wingsy and Dora Wings , New Tool Airfix and Fine Molds is better than most Tamiya . The exception is the Tamiya 1/350 Scale HMS Prince of Wales ( 1986 ) - great fitting and accurate kit , and the only game in town - yet the Tamiya Bismarck , a dog of a kit and poorly detailed ( 1978 mould ) - yet retails for top money !! TheTamiya 1/48 1990's Spitfire Mk 1 is a superb kit . At the end , it’s personal preference and researching their kits and how old the moulds is the best idea ,too see if they are worth buying .

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Well said Mate.

[@ja37d-34]

I would not say they are better than the modern tamiya kits. But they are close.

[@jasongardiner5965]

I remember a mate of mine asked me to build a crappy ancient Tamiya SdKfz 7 8 ton German half track for him. Kit was dreadful 1970s era moulding with nearly unusable low detail rubber band tracks, that looked crap no matter how much weathering you did! I was really disappointed with it and it's very simplistic parts and build. Anyway he thought it was great so I then got myself a Trumpeter SdKfz 7 as I love German half tracks. Wow what a world of difference, nearly 4 times the parts count of the Tamiya kit, Indi link tracks, fully detailed engine and transmission as well as detailed cargo compartments. It just really didn't compare. While some of Tamiyas recent offerings are decent I just find them overpriced and would rather get a Trumpeter, Mini-art or Zvedza equivalent.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Completely agree with you Jason

[@davidknight2220]

Another brilliant video, Harry, many you tubers are as interesting as watching paint dry but you make the subject come alive keep up the good work mate...

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Hence my dislike of painting LOL